42 SMaSH Pale Ale

Brewed: 11/25/2012Bottled: 12/06/2012

I figured before I turn 43, I should brew a beer called 42. 42, as I am sure you know, is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. The question itself may not be known, but it would be irresponsible for me to let the 42nd year of my life pass without brewing a beer that at least acknowledges what an important milestone this year has been.

When I started thinking about a recipe worthy of the name "42", I originally was thinking something along the lines of Quarter Life Crisis or Eric the Awful or even Pompously Illegitimate. You know, something hoppy but with more color and malt complexity than an IPA. But, then, I have done hoppy imperial (and not-so-imperial) reds before. I guess I could have added more color to get it blackish, but then I have also done black ipas.

One thing I had been thinking about brewing for awhile, though, is a SMaSH beer. SMaSH stands for single malt, single hop, and (as the name suggests) is a beer whose recipe only has one malt and one type of hop. I thought that the simplicity of the beer parallels the simple answer 42 for the ultimate question.

I decided to make it a relatively low ABV session beer. I wanted it hoppy, shooting for 42 IBUs. Maris Otter seemed to be the right choice of malts as I have used it as a base malt before and really like the results.

It does taste awesome. It is very hoppy tasting but the Maris Otter comes through nicely as well. It is a clean refreshing sessionable beer. Very nice to drink.

11/27/2012 esheppyBrewed Sunday (see 42 SMASH on my blog). Fermentation has been going well. Added at blow-off tube tonight.11/29/2012 esheppyTook blow-off tube back out last night. This morning, the airlock has calmed down quite a bit. Fermentation is mostly done.12/01/2012 esheppyTook a gravity reading. 1.014, which puts this right at 5% ABV. This is right where I like it. It is a nice clean tasting beer. It taste drier than 1.014.12/06/2012 esheppyKegged. FG exactly where it was going into secondary. Sample tasted wonderful.12/28/2012 esheppyThe Beer Model seems to like this beer. This is a surprise as hoppy as this beer is. It is tasting really good tonight.01/03/2013 esheppyI just noticed that the beer is incredibly clear tonight ... much clearer than the image shows. Might have to take another picture for the web page.01/09/2013 esheppyThe Beer Model finished the keg before I could take that picture. Oh well.